Bundaberg group recognised for homeless efforts

The Bundaberg Housing Forum (BHF) in southern Queensland has received national recognition for its service to the homeless.

The 2013 National Homelessness Service Awards were presented in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Community social worker Andrea Bax says the BHF was nominated in the top 23 out of 150 homelessness services in Australia.

Ms Bax says about 500 people in Bundaberg are homeless, with 40 per cent under the age of 25.

She says the award shows the Bundaberg region is committed to reducing these figures.

"The Bundaberg Housing Forum has been going for about two years now and brings a lot of the homelessness sector together," she said.

"Trying to collaborate more so they make it an easier process for those that find themselves affected by homelessness, whether they are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless."

She says the award will help boost funding to the sector.

"At this time, with everything that Bundaberg's been through in the [past] few months, it's a real boost to the sector to know that they're actually being recognised," she said.

"They'll be able to use that as a real standing point for future funding and say this sector has actually been recognised nationally, we are doing positive things and we would like some extra support."